National Reconciliation Week was welcomed by art and dancing in Cardinia Shire as the community gathered to “bridge now to next.”
On Tuesday, Cardinia Shire Council held a celebration of shared histories and cultures on Wurundjeri Land at Worrell Reserve in Emerald.
The event included a smoking ceremony accompanied by a performance from Djirri Djirri Dancers.
The occasion also opened a new exhibition at the Hills Hub, yearnjenong (barefoot) by Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung artist Sam Richards.
The exhibition explores ancestral connection and caring for country through a variety of works from paintings to cultural objects.
Ms Richards will be in residence on Saturday, 31 May where locals are invited to meet the artist from 9:30am – 2:30pm.
National Reconciliation Week 2025 theme is “Bridging Now to Next” calling for Australians to walk together and be guided by past lessons to achieve further unity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community.
The yearnjenong exhibition is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 2:30pm at Hills Hub. It will run until Sunday, 6 July.
Cardinia Shire is hosting another celebration at the Cardinia Cultural Centre from 12.30pm to 2pm on Thursday 29 May.
